Chapter 17 – Lockdown

A/N: This chapter is NSFW. Yep, you heard me. N.S.F.W. As in, you're finally getting smut for your slow burn fic. (Suffice it to say those of you who blush easily have been warned.) :D Please let me know what you think!

Lockdown. The simple word struck Evelyn at her core. The council doesn't believe me. They don't trust me. How can I possibly sit in lockdown while Saren pulls the strings to start the end of the galaxy? Engrossed in her thoughts, Evelyn wandered over to her locker unsure of why. She collapsed on the floor and leaned up against the ice cold metal, tugging her crimson locks with her clammy fingers. She closed her eyes and sighed, shaking her head. Familiar heavy footsteps approach her and Evelyn turned her grey gaze up to the handsome man towering over her.

"Commander, are you alright?" Kaidan asked in the professional tone he assumed when they spoke in the mess hall, even though no one else was around. "I'm sure there's a way to appeal this, we're under Alliance authority, after all, not the council." Kaidan spoke logically, knowing that this was the type of dialogue that tended to comfort her the most. Evelyn released the grip on her hair, sure that Kaidan didn't want to see her pulling it, and dropped her arms lifelessly to her sides. She took a deep breath before responding; Shepard was angry, though not at him, and was careful of her tone, so as not to take her frustrations out on Kaidan.

"Official channels are closed. They were quite clear about that," Evelyn sighed heavily. "I've tried every route I can think of. The sad truth is, for now, we're stuck here." She swallowed her pride, paused, and folded her legs into a criss-cross position. "You know I'll try to come up with another plan, but right now, I'm so frustrated and need to relieve some stress before I can think straight." Her arms stretched out and up and slowly returned to her lap. "I need you to be there while I figure things out." Her grey orbs met his amber ones.

Kaidan gently rubbed the back of his neck, "You can always count on me, or any of the crew," he responded diplomatically.

The corners of Evelyn's lips turned up somewhat as she shook her head ever so slightly. "Come on, Kaidan, I can get a salute from anyone on this ship." She steadied her gaze into his golden eyes, her smile gone and her expression vulnerable. "Sometimes, I need a shoulder."

"Yeah, well, you know I always leave a way out," he stated sincerely. "I'm here for you, Shepard, but we're in a rough spot, and the last thing I want to do is muddy things." He put one hand to his forehead. "Like it's all that clear to begin with. Are we the pride of the fleet, or not? Are we valued agents, or just peons?"

Shepard was all too familiar with his current state of mind, analyzing every little detail; she had been doing it all day. But right now she needed to shelve her analytic nature so that she could calm down, and hoped for him to encourage her to do so. She shook her head slightly, and placed a hand against her temple. "Kaidan, honestly what I need right now is a good old-fashioned 'it'll be alright.'"

He let out a slight chuckle. "It's that easy, huh? Ok, then." His tone became very comforting. "Everything will be alright, Shepard. You'll figure it out," he consoled her, his whisky-colored orbs meeting her steel ones.

Evelyn shyly smiled and thanked him with a sweet, relaxed tone.

"I could get used to it," he beamed back. "I guess we have some time to figure out exactly what we are, huh…" he extended his hand to hers. She delicately placed her cold, pale hand in his warm, strong grasp. He firmly pulled her up, accidentally using too much force, and her balance tipped toward him. Kaidan caught Shepard in is arms; their hearts beat quickly against each other's chests. Their eyes met, silver into gold, before his gaze moved to her soft pink lips. Her heart quickened as she closed her lids. The two cautiously closed the distance between them, their lips parting as they moved towards each other before finally interlocking softly but fully. The kiss was indulgent but it left both wanting more. Their lips parted just barely and a light gasp escaped both Shepard and Kaidan before they returned their mouths to the place they had briefly left. Desperation quickened the pace of their lips' contact, which was abruptly interrupted when Evelyn broke away. Kaidan's whisky eyes questioned why she had ended their moment, but quickly changed to a hungry gaze when her sparkling silver eyes flitted past him and glanced in the direction of her quarters. She confidently took hold of his rough hand, her body exuding an enticing mixture of innocence and coyness. Devilish thoughts of how he planned to pleasure her raced through Kaidan's mind as he followed Evelyn, who led him decisively to her cabin.

The door had barely closed when Kaidan pinned her to the wall, his hands greedily caressing her toned abdomen through her uniform. Shepard kissed Kaidan fervently as he slid his hands beneath her belt and untucked her shirt. He grinned devilishly as his hands moved under the fabric and up her abdomen, finally touching her skin, not her clothes, truly tracing the ridges of her taught muscles across her torso. Evelyn was pleased with the unfamiliar feeling his slightly calloused hands against her skin caused, and warmth began to pool between her legs. Evelyn's mouth moved to his neck and he groaned as she gently nibbled on his skin. Shepard could feel the vigor of his arousal as Kaidan firmly pressed his hips to hers. She let out a soft moan as the ecstasy and want spread to her belly. The two stopped kissing to draw in a deep breath, and both grinned with joy and relief; they were finally able to be together. Kaidan put his arms up on the wall, brushing over her shoulders, and moved his hips slightly away from her.

"You mentioned once," his husky voice breathed, "that you've never been with anyone before." His wholehearted gaze met her grey eyes.

Evelyn's face instantly turned bright pink. She nervously gulped before sheepishly admitting that it was the truth.

"Not in relationship?" He paused, trying to figure out how to phrase the rest of his question. "Not even…physically?" Kaidan respected Evelyn, and wanted to be absolutely sure he understood exactly what she meant.

"Neither," she plainly stated.

Kaidan couldn't keep his lips from turning upwards. He was amazed that such an incredible woman would fall for him, especially considering she had never allowed herself to fall for anyone before. His eyes glowed golden with a new kind of longing; a hunger and desire to pleasure her body in every way possible.

"Is something wrong?" Shepard's worried tone brought him back from his thoughts.

"Absolutely not, Evelyn," his husky voice reassured her. Kaidan pulled her back in close. "I just want to make sure you're comfortable with this," he whispered sincerely in her ear.

"Kaidan," she pulled out of his embrace, her hands gently wrapped around his muscular arms. Her bright eyes, twinkling like stars, met his amber orbs and she smiled proudly. "I've never been more certain of anything in my life." Evelyn closed the distance between them, her naturally pink lips interlocking with his full ones. Kaidan's erection hardened as he pressed her closer to the wall. His hands moved swiftly down her back, cupped her ass, and lifted her off of the ground. Shepard wrapped her legs around Kaidan's waist and the two ardently kissed as Kaidan carried her to the bed. He gently laid her down and crawled above her, staring fiercely at the length of her body as he moved over her. He admired every inch of it and wondered what she looked like without clothes covering it up. Kaidan straddled her for the briefest moment before rolling over to her side, his body facing hers and aligned with her curves. He placed a hand just above her belt and cautiously moved it down, giving her plenty of time to ask him to stop if she wasn't comfortable. When she didn't contest, Kaidan slid his strong hands under her pants and found her smooth, cotton panties underneath. She let out a soft groan as his fingers explored the area just above her apex, gliding softly along the innocent undergarment. Evelyn breathed his name, her tone begged for more. Kaidan kissed her neck and moved his hands under the last layer of fabric between his fingers and her skin. He was surprised at how smooth it was, noting her preference to keep things tidy and shaved down there. He rolled his hips toward Shepard so that she could feel his hardened member while he gingerly moved his fingers between her folds; she moaned in pleasure from the simple touch. Kaidan bit Shepard's ear lobe gently as he massaged her nub, and could feel her entire body tightening. Evelyn had never felt anything so exhilarating, so pleasurable, in her entire life. Her fingers clenched the blanket on the bed she grew closer and closer to the edge. Kaidan dipped a finger into her soft, wet center and circled it on her clit, bringing her to her climax. Shepard thrashed as she came from his touch, whimpering Kaidan's name. He continued to caress her sex until she pleaded to him, out of breath, that it was just too sensitive. Kaidan was pleased and amused that he was able to make her come with just his fingers, without even pulling out the biotics. He would save that surprise for later.

Shepard was sated and exhausted but wanted to return the favor. She placed her hand on Kaidan's chest and pushed him down firmly, supine on the bed. She rolled over on her side, facing him, her delicate fingers tracing his toned abs through his uniform as they traveled down. Kaidan gasped with excitement as she decisively slid her hand under his belt and brushed her fingers along his hard length. She curled her fingers around his cock confidently and began to pump. Suddenly, their moment was interrupted.

"Hey, Commander? You still on board?" Joker's voice filled the room, coming through comm's speakers. She wanted to ignore him but he continued. "Because if you are, I've got an urgent message from Captain Anderson."

Shit. Shepard thought as she released her grip on Kaidan, who groaned with disapproval. "Yeah, Joker, I'm here," she sat up in bed as she replied, hiding any trace of annoyance or disappointment from her voice. "Give me the message."

"He said to meet him at Flux. You remember the place right?" Of course I do, she thought. She couldn't have forgotten the place where Kaidan first kissed her. "Absolutely," she stood and began to smooth out her clothes. "Thanks, Joker."

The moment the comm cut out, Kaidan spoke, unsuccessful at hiding the disappointment and frustration in his voice. "Well, I guess you better go, then."

"You?" She reiterated coyly. "We." She corrected.

"Yeah, ah, about that…" Kaidan shifted in the bed uncomfortably. "I'm going to need a couple of minutes…" he admitted, looking down, his voice trailing off.

"That's fine," Shepard grinned. "My hair is a mess anyways." She winked at him, grabbed her toiletries, and headed out of the cabin. "Meet me in the CIC when you're ready to go."

A/N: I sincerely hope you enjoyed this first NSFW chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! A huge thank you to mssticha for being my beta! BTW, the next chapter will also be NSFW. You're going to get quite a few of them coming up. :)